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there a lot of The Biggest Loser stuff there as well. Not knocking their stuff (haven't read it) but I think they contribute a lot to this 'only 1 or 2 pound' disappointment I see among dieters.
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I think one of the biggest (pun intended) problems with the diet industry and weight-loss is setting up expecations that can not be lived up to. If you read any of the increasing numbers of behind-the-scenes info about Biggest Loser, it's amazing that they don't kill those people. LACK of science (no consideration of body composition) and lack of plain old truth in advertising / broadcasting leads people to think that if they can't get "instant" (and often sweat-free) weight loss (at least 10# each week?), then they might as well give up.
We just had an intern from an exercise science program (college - going for a bachelor's degree) start, and after observing a member being shown their new exercise program (designed for weight loss, included weights and cardio), the intern asked why weights had been included in the program. They were given the explanation (increase metabolism, build lean tissue, etc) and then said "but won't she just bulk up and gain weight?"
. THIS is what students GRADUATING and going off to teach the masses are learning (or NOT learning).
How can we combat this? How can people expect to set (and achieve) reasonable goals when so much horribly incorrect info is out there, with more going out every day? If you can't trust the "experts" to guide you, who can you trust? If people (women) are going to believe in theirselves and their ability to succeed, and if this makes a huge difference in the rate of adherence and success (which I believe, as the article said, it does), then we have to EDUCATE better. Misinformation is a huge part of the problem...
Sorry if that was a bit of a tangent, but...